саn i mаkе a springfield 1903-A3 іntο a sniper bу taking οff thе front аnd rear sights, аnd putting a redfield scope mount οn іt аnd a weaver scope wіth аll original раrtѕ without using a modified 1903-a4 bolt? ѕο i guess mу real qυеѕtіοn wουld bе, сουld i рυt a scope οn іt аnd thе A3 bolt still function without hitting thе scope?
You could do those things, but you’d only have a butchered 1903. The modified bolt is a requirement.
If you havre an original 1903 – A3, don’t trash it.
You gan sell it for enough to get yourself a nice
Ruger 77 or similar bolt gun of your choice for your
“sniper rifle”.
The only way to make a rifle a sniper rifle is to give it to a sniper. No, you can’t put a scope on it without the modified bolt.
anything can be done with enough time and monetary investment. Yes, you could make those changes. But no, the original bolt handle will not clear the scope. Unless you have it turned down. There are two ways to do this, one is by heating and bending, but this must be done carefully or you will ruin the temper and it is not easy to get the right radius, which will ruin the project. Or, you can get one of the cut down kits which means cutting off the bolt handle, drilling and tapping the remaining “stub” and installing the replacement “handle”.
But this is not the better of the two choices.
With either choice, please let a gunsmith do it for you otherwise you won’t like the results.
As for doing this or not? this is YOUR rifle, and you have every right to do with it as YOU want. Never let others influence your choices for you, but always be willing to at least listen to their opinion. I know several hunters who use the ‘03-’A3 here in my area for hunting. They make a great hunting rifle.
shoot safe
Go with the a4 bolt and sell or swap for one. Or if it were me I would keep this gun and get another or sell it and get a modern gun with parts available anywhere for cheap.